Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The New Gay Ally on Glee

When Darren Criss appeared on Glee, he shared a flirtatiousmoment becoming a rumored love interest, for Chris Colfer’srole of Kurt Hummel. By the end of that on-screen meeting,Criss belted out his own version of Katy Perry’s “TeenageDream.” The next day, Glee’s version of the song shot up theiTunes charts, becoming the most downloaded song yet froma show that had recently surpassed the Beatles’ record for mostsingles to chart on Billboard’s Hot 100. Criss knew playing gaywould raise immediate questions about his own sexuality.Initially he thought he would play it coy but soon came out asstraight. Criss had plenty of exposure to the gay communityhaving performed in local musicals in his hometown, SanFrancisco. As a performer, Criss quickly befriended cast matesin their 20s & 30s. “I was staying out much later than most kidsafter shows, going to restaurants,” Criss remembers. “I wasfriends with older guys–they were who I looked up to. It wasn’tuntil later that I put together that they were gay.”Will Criss’ Blaine & Colfer’s Hummel ever wind up together?Read More in OUT Mag….Exclusive Audio Chat w/ Colin Fallesen, CEO& Creative Director of the UK Queer Channels onDemand on their news service "Pink Sixty"@ OUTTAKE VOICES™

1 Comments:

Darren Criss said...

It’s more empowering to everybody if I’m articulate about identifying myself as a straight male playing a gay character. Ultimately that’s more powerful for both communities. The most important thing to convey to those watching is for Kurt to have someone he can relate to. This is the first time he has a young out male friend, a support system, to show that that’s possible.